The beautiful Akshardam temple is located in the National Highway 24, near Noida Mor, New Delhi. The Delhi Akshardham is an imitation of the Akshardham in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. It consists of 234 ornately carved pillars, 9 ornate domes, 20 quadrangled shikhars, a spectacular Gajendra Pith (plinth of stone elephants) and 20,000 murtis and statues of Indias great sadhus, devotees, acharyas and divine personalities. It is 356 feet long, 316 feet wide and 141 feet high and spread over an area of 86,342 square feet. It was recently listed in the Guinness World Records for being the being the world's largest Hindu temple complex. This should be on must visit list on your trip to Delhi.
Location: NH 24, Noida Mor, New Delhi
Entry Formalities Only small female purses or male wallets allowed .Cell phones and other electronic devices are prohibited. Entry to the complex is free. But for exhibitions and light and sound show inside the complex, one has to take tickets.
Accomodation: Accomodations are available at the nearby hotels and lodges in New Delhi.
Accesibility New Delhi is very well connected to the major Indian cities by air, rail and road.
Nearby Cities: Ghaziabad, Noida,Faridabad and Gurgaon.
About five hundred metres from the Red Fort is India's biggest mosque, The Jama Masjid. It was begun by Shah Jahan in 1650 and completed in six years time. It's also known as 'Masjid-i-Jahanuma' or 'Mosque commanding view of the world'. Made out of sandstone and white marble, Jama Masjid can be entered from both the directions - North and the South Gates. The eastern gateway is supposed to remain open in Friday and was used by the emperor himself. The prayer hall, measuring 61m by 27.5m and has has a magnificent façade of eleven arches, the central one being higher than the others and serving as the entrance. It is topped off by three magnificent domes which are richly ornamented and have black and white marble stripes - much like the Nizamuddin Dargah. The mosque has the capacity to accommodate 25000 devotees. One of the specialties of Jama Masjid is the high ground construction that makes the appearance even more beautiful. Broad and high steps lead to the main gateways.
Located At: Old Delhi, near Read Fort
Visiting Hours:
Daily from dawn to dusk. Is closed while the prayer is being conducted (Entry closed for women after 6 pm).
Entry Fee:
Entry is free however tourists will have to pay Rs. 100 if they carry a camera along with themselves.
Best time to visit:
Between October and March. However, there is no specified or advised time because it is a religious place and one can visit it at any time throughout the year.
The Lotus temple also known as Bahai temple is one of the most beautiful temples in India. It can be located at Kalkaji in New Delhi. The temple has been beautifully constructed in the shape of a lotus flower and is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. The temple has no restrictions for visitors and is open to people from all religions. The Lotus temple was designed by the Persian architect Fariborz Sahba from Canada. Lotus is a symbol of peace, purity, love and immortality. It is this particular specialty of Lotus flower which makes the flower an important icon in Indian culture and society. This is why the design of Lotus temple has been inspired by lotus flower. The design looks like a half opened Lotus flower with 27 freestanding "petals" made of marble. The architect, while designing the temple took into account the eternal beauty of Lotus flower. The construction work took almost 10 years before it finally got shape and was open for public. The temple has the capacity to accommodate nearly 2500 people and has nine doors that open in a central hall.
Location: opposite the ancient Kalkaji Mandir, East of Nehru Place in South Delhi
How To Reach: Tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach this temple located in South Delhi, or they can take auto-rickshaws and taxis or metro rail.
Time To Visit Open on all days except Monday
Admission Fee Free and open to all
Photography charges Permitted upon request
Parking Free
Nearest Railway Station Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station
Nearest Metro Station Kalkaji Mandir
Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliyaa Dargah is located in New Delhi, across the road from Humayun's tomb. Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya is one of the most highly respected Sufi saints in India and is his dargah is visited by many Sufiana enthusiasts from all over the world. Hazrat Nizamuddin died in 1325 and the original tomb does not exist anymore. His shrine was built by Firuz Shah Tughlaq, an emperor of Tughlaq dynasty, which underwent severe damage. The structure was rebuilt in 1562-63 A.D. by Fariuddin Khan, a nobleman with a high rank. The present building has been repaired and renovated many times since then. The compound also has many other tombs of nobilities like Amir Khusrau (famous poet) and Jahanara (daughter of Emperor Shah Jahan). The square chamber of the Dargah is adorned with verandahs and arched gateways. Domed roof of the building has vertical stripes of black marble and is crowned by a lotus cresting. Even the area surrounding the tomb is considered as sacred.
Location: About 2 kilometers away from Humayun's tomb at the eastern end of Lodi Road and near Mathura Road
Timings: Open on all days from sunrise to sunset
Preferred Timings: Thursday evenings between 5-7 p.m.
Famous as: A Sufi shrine - Hazrat Nizamuddin's Dargah
Admission: Free and open to all
How to Reach: Tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach this monument, which is located near Mathura Road or they can take auto-rickshaws and taxis or metro rail.
Video charges: Nil (but caretakers need to be tipped at least Rs 20; prior permission required)
St. James is one of Delhi's oldest, located at the intersection of Church Road and Lothian Road. Built by Colonel James Skinner in 1836, the church is modeled on the Classical Renaissance style of architecture in a Greek cross design. Though the church bears a close resemblance to the dome of the Florence Cathedral in Italy, its architects Robert Smith and De Bude attempted to recreate the glory of London's St. Paul's Cathedral. The dome, in the middle segment of the church, is surmounted by a ball and a cross. It is octagonal in shape and stands supported by circular columns on four sides. St. James Church got badly damaged in the year 1857 and underwent renovation in 1865. The main arrangement for seating is in the central portion of the dome. St. James is steeped in history and folklore, and offers an interesting mix of architectural styles, not to mention an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
Location: ½ Kilometer from Kashmiri Gate at the intersection of Church Road and Lothian Road
Famous for: James Skinner and William Fraser's grave
Open: On all days
Admission: Free and open to all (caretaker, who opens the church needs to be tipped at least Rs 20)
How to Reach: Tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach this monument, which is located near Kashmiri Gate, Inter State Bus Terminal in Old Delhi or they can hire auto-rickshaws and taxis or metro rail.
Preferred Timings: Morning and evening prayer time (timings to be checked with local authorities)
Photography charges: nil Video charges: nil, prior permission required, check with the local authorities
Nearest Railway Station: Old Delhi Railway Station
Cathedral Church of the Redemption was designed by architect, Henry Medd which took 8 yrs to build and was completed in 1935. It is situated to the east of Parliament House in New Delhi. It has simple red sandstone roofing that has a great degree of inclination. But once you enter the structure the magnificent interiors strike you. This Anglican Church has small recessed openings, which has dual purpose. Firstly it filters the sunlight and secondly it forms a great spectacle of light and shadow. The windows are very large and have eye catching stained glass window. The church also houses a very good Austrian built organ. The Church of North India now manages this cathedral. Besides regular mass on the Sunday morning, the cathedral hosts religious concerts on festivals such as Christmas and Easter every year. It has a personal choir of itself named the Capital City Minstrels. Catch any of concerts of choral music and carol singing on these religious occasions.
Location: On the Church Road, north of Jaipur Column, very near to Connaught Place
Timings: Open on all days
Preferred Timings: Sunrise to Sunset
Admission: Free and open to all through the day.
How to Reach: Tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach this sacred monument, which is located near Connaught Place (CP), the heart of the city, or they can hire auto-rickshaws and taxis or metro rail.
Photography charges: Nil (permission required)
Nearest Railway Station: New Delhi Railway Station
Nearest Metro Station: Central Secretariat
Functional Metro Station: Central Secretariat